Page 51 - Bugle Spring 2024

opposition 22m and both forwards and backs had worked the phases to draw in defenders. A further ten minutes was played in a similar manner whereby ACSC largely kept up the pressure, aided by French errors, but the score remained 0-5. To the credit of both teams, opportunities to kick penalties were overruled in favour of re-starts with the ball in-hand. Saint-Andre and Gareth Edwards would have approved; even if cardiologists would not.
But the final fifteen minutes saw a rapid swing in favour of ACSC. A lineout maul from ten metres out was converted into a try by Whits, followed minutes later by a crashing run from Josh to storm over for 0-15. Lambert then saw fit to convert one of the tries to make it 0-17 going into half time.
Though the final score suggests otherwise, the second half was a different affair. The French team applied the pressure, and this time a multitude of penalties and sloppy play from ACSC handed over the advantage. ACSC simply could not get out of their half and were pushed further back towards their own tryline. At which point “the Swan” had had enough. Collecting the ball from behind his own 22m, Dave arced his way through the defence, easing
his way past multiple defenders and tacklers, most of whom frankly seemed to stop to understandably admire a magician at work. But not all. Snaffled 10m short, Dave offloaded to Wg Cdr Warwick Burrows who crashed over the try line like an angry van der Merwe.
It was a similar story for the fifth try. Except this time it was Lt Col Chris Adair ALS, as full back, who sent an audacious kick forward from his own 22m deep into the opposition half. For a
moment, both time and Chris stood still as the ball was lofted forward. Suddenly, Adair threw off the shackles of his wisdom and age and, like a youthful racing snake, dashed past almost all the opposition and tackled his opposite number in front of the posts. From the resultant phases, Whitaker powered over from close range to claim his second and the team’s fifth try.
Dénouement. The French were impeccable hosts and both teams traded ties and tales over excellent cuisine in the heart of the Ecole de Guerre. After a great team effort with some notable individual performances and good leadership, the Lerwill Cup remains in the hands of ACSC for another year while the baton falls to ACSC 27 to try to retain the trophy in Watchfield, 2024. It was a memorable, privileged and fun affair for all involved, and many thanks must go to the organising committee for getting us there and back in good order.
PAGE 49 Wherever you serve, we serve
ADVERTORIAL FEATURE
HOLTS MILITARY BANKING IS the only UK bank entirely dedicated to serving the Armed Forces, their Families and Veterans, offering customised banking and financial solutions to meet their specific needs and requirements.
Holt’s Military Banking has the ability to do things differently to serve our military customers: Wherever You Serve, We Serve.
As part of the NatWest Group we offer all the normal products that customers expect: current packaged accounts, savings accounts and ISAs, and online investments to personal loans, overdrafts, credit cards, and mortgages - as well as personal, home, car and pet insurance.
However, the Holt’s Brand also offers products that are bespoke to the Armed Forces:
• The Armed Forces Terminal
Grant Lending Scheme allows us to lend up to 50 per cent of lump sums early with full access to this amount, with the scheme reviewed every three years until you leave the Armed Forces. When you receive the lump sum, we simply transfer the amount to pay the scheme off.
• Military Customers’ Base Rate Related Loans Scheme with interest rates which may be less than those of personal loan and provides you with flexibility to overpay or pay off without incurring a charge or early settlement fee. This provides more flexibility than a personal loan, but
with the element of risk being linked to base rate, which could save you money.
• Personal Loan Rate
Appeal Scheme bases
a decision on you as
an individual. If the system produces an interest rate on application that seems inflated, Holt’s, have the ability to appeal this to get you the best possible rate for your needs.
• Full digital online and mobile banking access your funds without having to go into a branch. You
can use this anywhere and, on
any device, providing you know your security details. Plus, we now have the ability to conduct video banking calls (Facetime for Holts) which allows us to speak securely with you wherever you are.
All our Holt’s Relationship Managed Customers now have access to all Premier Products that can make their money work better for them.
The Holt’s Premier Black Packaged Account is one such example that helps you save money, whilst providing benefits such as mobile phone insurance, travel insurance for the family, breakdown cover, no foreign transaction charges, access to travel lounges and a global concierge service.
In summary, we are a specialist military banking operation with a very special customer base which we know, understand and serve “wherever you serve”.